Crowning Grace: A Conversation with Nakia Collins — Believer, Wife, Mama & Celebrity Hairstylist

Second Course is served.

An offering of resilience, radiance, and quiet strength — Crowning Grace is the next conversation in The Flavor She Carries series.

There are moments in life when paths cross for reasons deeper than we can explain. I met Nakia Collins through our mutual friend Michelle—a fellow celebrity hairstylist—after learning that, like me, Nakia had experienced the heartbreaking loss of a child. Our connection was instant. Beneath her radiant beauty and effortless style is a woman of unwavering faith, deep compassion, and quiet strength.

Nakia is a wife, a mother, a boss and is the gifted hands behind some of Beyoncé’s iconic looks, But beyond her creative success, she carries a story of resilience and hope—one born from grief and transformed through grace. In this intimate conversation, Nakia opens up about her journey through pregnancy and the loss of her baby boy, her evolving relationship with God, the healing power of beauty, and the profound way her story continues to serve others.

Her compassion was especially evident during the LA fires, where she showed up for her community with strength and care. Today, she continues to use both her hands and her heart to nurture women through beauty, storytelling, and faith.

THE JOURNEY OF MOTHERHOOD AND LOSS

Can you take us back to the moment you found out you were expecting? What did that season of life mean to you?

I was almost a year into my relationship when I found out i was pregnant. It was actually an accident. I was only taking a test so that my cousin wouldn’t have to take her test alone and I ended up being the one pregnant! I was in shock. It was scary and at one point being in college and trying to figure life out with my partner. It was a rollercoaster on making the decision to keep my son! I fought so hard to keep him. My angel.

You’ve experienced the unimaginable—the loss of your baby boy. How did that chapter of your life in the backpack, unfold, and how has it shaped the woman you are today?

I remember the morning I lost Junior. I work up and felt this drop.. my heart sank but I had such a busy day at sac state with a full schedule and had my gender appointment at the end of my day.  This had been a time when my partner, now husband, and i had just got back good together our cousins came and went with us to our appointment. I remember the student nurse came in held the ultrasound handle and was acting weird.. i knew something was wrong. She said I’ll be back. Rudely, came back and said “I’m sorry but your baby has died..” she then went on to say I’d have to go home to naturally pass my baby. I was 20 weeks that day. My heart shattered. I decided to deliver my son at the hospital and push him out and meet him to say my goodbyes. Honestly I prayed  he would be alive. He wasn’t. 

Experiencing meeting my son was the one thing that saved my mentality. It healed something in me. It allowed me to get closer to God. I appreciated life and death and something clicked inside my heart. Not only did i have an angel. I mean at first that year i was angry, depressed, sad, guilty.. i thought i was being punished.. that was until i started talking to people about it. I found my community of grieving mothers.. i never thought this was a thing.. boy was i wrong… the pain of holding your baby and then delivering that perfect lifeless angel.. he gives me strength everyday.. he would be turning 17 this year.. my sweet angel. 

How did your relationship with God shift or evolve after your loss? Were there moments when your faith was tested—or when it deepened?

My faith was tested so hard… i wanted to die with my baby at times.. i mean after going from thoughts of abortion to staying strong and fighting for my child… him not making it.. oh my world spiraled. I felt like i lost my vision of my purpose after starting to finally prepare for my baby! I tough God was saying that’s what i get!  When my milk came i somehow stumbled on a breastmilk donation page. I was abundant with milk my breast were overflowing. I was able to pump and relieve myself and ended up donating so much colostrum and breast milk to another mother in need whose baby needed it. Just one way God spoke to me and reminded me that because Junior was not here physically. He and I can still impact the world in other ways.  This and sharing my story as well as remembering Junior kept me alive and strong with God.

What has grief taught you—about love, about motherhood, or about yourself?

It’s taught me that it feels lonely but there are people who wanna support you! 

How do you carry your son’s memory with you today? Are there small moments, objects, or choices that help you feel close to him?

Sometimes my Junior visits my children in their dreams and they know who he is and have mentioned that he watches over them. I have a tattoo to remind me of his perfect steps that guide me with the lord. 

When you need comfort, is there a dish or flavor that brings you peace? Something from childhood—or something you’ve created for yourself?

When i need comfort and a big gmama hug, I make a cozy veggie soup. It reminds me of my grandmother and her sweet presence and she is also my guardian angel. 

BEAUTY, HEALING, & HOLDING SPACE

You’ve created beauty for some of the world’s most iconic women. How has your journey through grief changed the way you approach your work?

Thank you for that. Holding space and just being a healer myself has been a big part of my purpose. Working with hair is an extremely powerful energy, if you are sensitive your energy can be affected. I’m in a constant state of clearing energy and sending Gods healing and loving energy back into my clients and my self. Sometimes allowing myself to be a vessel of Gods just helps me and God speaks to me through creation and i have a deep love for helping others and wanting to show people the beauty i see in them through my art. 

What does it mean to care for women—not just their hair, but their hearts—when they’re in seasons of transformation?

Everything. Everything I do is from my heart. I can feel when my client is going through something, and i just make space and if they want to talk about it I’m here if not I’m praying over them as I’m cleansing their hair. I’m releasing weight energetic and physical.  I Honestly just love my clients and pour into them all that I have. 

Have you had moments with clients where your shared experiences created space for deeper connection?

All the time 

What does beauty mean to you now—not just in how we look, but in how we live, love, and show up?

Beauty is peaceful. It’s showing up loving yourself. Helping others feel good but most of all making sure you put you first. Setting boundaries acknowledging your pain and speaking it. 

When life feels heavy, what grounds you? Is it a place, a prayer, a meal, or a moment of stillness?

When life feels heavy I love to go into nature and pray. 

FAITH, SISTERHOOD & SHOWING UP

Who or what helped carry you through your most fragile seasons? Was there someone who held space for you when you couldn’t find the words?

My girlfriends, my mama, aunts and husband have held me in hard and dark times without even knowing. It truly takes a village. 

You’ve shown up in remarkable ways for your community—especially during the LA fires. What did that experience teach you about service and compassion?

I am a sold believer that it takes a village! I grew up having to go to food lockers and churches for donations. I’ve gotten my furniture for my first apartments by dumpster diving. So one thing I’m gonna do is be that same angel for my community!!! I’m gonna give my last of i have to. I’m gonna show up for the kids and teachers. The mama a struggling! All the things whatever I can. I want people to treat me as i would wanna be treated.

What would you say to another mama walking through loss—especially one who feels unseen or alone?

Talk about your baby sis! Please! Don’t ignore those feelings. It’s what healed me!!! You’re not alone. You matter and your baby was a soul!! Never forget that! 

How do you nurture yourself now—as a woman, a wife, a mother, and a creative?

Prayer and treating myself to massages, good food, healthy friendships and dressing pretty! You have an angel!!! 

And finally, if healing were a meal, what would it be? What would it taste like—and who would be seated at your table?

Omg… chitlins jkjk!! It’s like a crab boil. So so good but hard and can be dangerous at times but if you take your time and pace yourself it will be worth the energy! That reward is Gods Divine perspective…

That taste is rich and makes your dimples pop! It’s pain and happiness… my mothers who survived loss, my sisters who helped pick me up when I wanted to disappear. My best friend my partner and life. My mama. 

As our conversation comes to a close, one truth lingers like the final note of a heartfelt prayer: Nakia Collins is more than the gifted hands behind iconic beauty—she is a vessel of grace, healing, and radical love. Her journey reminds us that even after the deepest loss, we can rise with purpose, pour from a place of truth, and adorn others with the same crown we fought to wear ourselves. In every curl she shapes and every woman she holds space for, Nakia carries the flavor of a life touched by both sorrow and sacred strength. This is her flavor—rich, redemptive, and crowned in grace.